Main content

Flutterings on the Fleet

Martha Kearney explores a thousand-year history of human care for birds at Dorset's Fleet Lagoon, witnesses little tern dating and finds out how to stay on the good side of swans.

Tucked in behind Dorset's famous Chesil Beach is a unique and beautiful place - the Fleet Lagoon. Martha Kearney explores a thousand year history of human guardianship of birds on the lagoon. On the way she gets a close-up view of little tern dating platforms on the Fleet itself, learns why the swans of the ancient Abbotsbury Swannery are much safer now and who they hate the most, and - of course - learns to build a nest.

Contributors include:

Angela Thomas - Assistant Warden, Chesil and Fleet Nature Reserve
Chris Goding - RSPB Project Officer & Assistant Warden, Chesil Little Tern Recovery Project
Steve Groves - Swanherd, Abbotsbury Swannery

With thanks to Dorset Wildlife Trust.

Presenter: Martha Kearney
Producer: Beth Sagar-Fenton

Available now

24 minutes

Last on

Sat 17 May 2025 06:07

Broadcasts

  • Thu 15 May 2025 15:00
  • Sat 17 May 2025 06:07

Podcast